Truck-steering mechanism.



H. H. HARRIS..

TRUCK STEERING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1911.

" Patented Aug. 5,1913;

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lf N W J T 1 &Q N w W m r .W. T 1 m A mw v 1 H 1 1 W .1 2 1 m v JmJh jy- W7 H. H. HAERIEL TRUCK STEERING MEGHAEHSM.

APPLICATION TILED JAN 31, 1911.

1,069,17, Patefited Aug. 5 1913.

7 272255555 Jim/5271271 TRUCK-STEERING MECHANISM.

To all 107mm "25 may concern Be it known that I, Horus H. Harms; a citizen of the United States, residing at Lorain, in the county 'oflLorain and Statcf of Ohio have invented a 'certain new and useful improvement in Truck-Steering Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being'had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention to provide a very etiicient'a'rrangement for steering the truck of portable heavy machinery.

he invention is especially designed with reference to 'a steam shovel or other excavating apparatus mounted on a wheeled truck adapted to travel over roads, streets, etc.

The invention includes effective mechanism by which one pair of wheels may be turned, as desired, to steer the truck. This is combined with a connection to the S\ 'iveled superstructure which is a supporting platform carrying the boom and driving mechanism so that the turning of such superstructure automatically turns the wheels to effect the proper steering. This is of great value in a self propelled portable machine of this character, as it enables the operator, by simply turning his superstructure to bring its length in the desired direction of travel, to automatically turn the truck correspondingly, thus enabling him to conveniently turn corners, pass around obstructions, follow irregular roads, etc. By a simple arrangement, included Within this invention,

am enabled to disconnect the automatic steering and steer by hand, independent of the superstructure, whenever desired.

The invention is hereinafter more fully explained and its essentials set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of a steam shovel or similar machine equipped with my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan justabove the truck, being sectioned through theking pin or swivel and the vertical propelling and turning shafts; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the truck, a portion of the beams at the front being removed for clearness.

As shown in the drawings, the truck frame consists of a pair of longitudinal beams 10, 10 and cross beams between them. The longitudinal beams are inthc form of rhea-ms. A number of'cross beams are shown,'desig- Specification of Letters Patent.

Jipiilica'tion filed January 31,

' l nated in the drawings '11" I-beams and the other cross bean n'el-beanis, l

Patented fl.

1911. Seria1N0. 6051815.

The cross beams 12. 1aand though it to be umunswod that this selection of rolled shapes may be varied. as desired.

indicates two of the wheels of the truck which are rigidly mounted on an 231journaled in bearings 24!: carried on the under sides of the respective beams 10. it. is convenient to refer to these whee s as the front Wheels, though the travel of the maiine may be in the opposite direction, so that they would then be rear wheels. issuming that the wheels 22 are the from wheels, a pair of wheels constitute the rear wheels. These latter are rotatablv mounted on an axle 26 which is swivel-ed its center. Theswirel pin is designated 18 and is shown as mounted in annular caps 11 and 20 carried by the cross beams 16 and h This rear axle being swiveled, it is only necessary to turn it on its center hear-- ing one w I, or the other to steer the ma chine as desired. coniplishing this, which constitutes the primary feature of this invention, will be here-- inafter described.

Mounted on the upper face of the longitudinal beams 10, 10 and the. cross beams 12 and 1.5 is a substantially horizontal annular trackway 30 and a stationary horizontal sppr gca r 31.

ihc superstructure is shown as consisting of a cab mounted on longitudinal beams l1 which carry the usual boom l2. The upper end of this boom may be held by a suitable tic 43.

44 indicates the elevating cable.

Connected with the beams ll are cross members, on the under sides of which are brackets 45 carrying rollers i6 which rest on the trackway 80. A central hing-pin mechanism is provided consisting of cylindrical embracing members 33 and .48, one of which depends from the superstructare and the other of which rises from a plate 34. mounted on the cross beams 13 and if of the truck.

indicates a pinion meshing with the gear 31, and 51, the shaft of this pinion esttending up into the superstructure. Suitable mechanism, (not shown) in the superstructiire, by rotating this shaft- 51, may

turn the superstructure in one direct-ion. or

The mechanism for ac- 6 frame is the transverse shaft 60 on which are two enlargements or drums 61 and 62. Anchored to these drums are two chains 63 and ca. The chain 63 passes off of the upper side of the drum 61, then rearwardly over a,

pulley 65 and thence forwardly around pulleys 67 and 69 and may be anchored at its forward end to the superstructure, as illustrated by the hook 71 mounted on the under side of a cross member 53 of the superstruc ture. Similarly, the chain 64, which passes off of the under side of the drum 62, passes over a pulley 66 and thence forwardly around pulleys 68 and and may be anchored. to the superstructure by means of a hook 72. The pulleys 65 and 66 are movable pulleys mounted in straps 73 and 74 connected with the axle 26.

From the construction described, it will be seen that if the shaft 60 is held from rotation, the turning of the superstructure will automatically turn the rear axle. For'example, if the superstructure is turned to move its forward end toward the right, tension will be applied to the chain 63, which will draw forward the left hand rear wheels 25, the same movement slackening on the chain 64, allowing the pulley 66 and other rear wheel to travel rearwardly. Correspondingly, a movement of the superstructure toward the left .pulls on the chain 64 and slaekens on the chain 63. The length of the chains 68 and 64 may be adjusted with the desired accuracy by means of turnbuckl-es 77 and 78 included in them. In the opera tion described, I have assumed that the shaft- 60 is held against rotation. It is desirable, however, to have this shaft rotatable so that it may effect the steering by hand, the forward ends of the chains, in that case, being anchored to the truck. 75, in Fig. 3, illustrates a pair of hooks carried by a frame member 21 of the truck, to which hooks the forward ends of the chain may be anchored. hen so anchored, a rotation of the shaft 60 will pull on one of the chains, and move the corresponding pulley. connected with the rear axle, and will slacken on the opposite chain, thereby swingingthe axle 26 on its swivel. i

order to enable the shaft 60 to be turned whenever desired, for hand steering,

and to be held for automatic steering, I havev provided a worm gear connection to it which makes at once an automatic lock and a 1-0-1 dl'l'iZSgiil the beams 16 and 17 and has at its extreme rear end, an angular extension 85. A suitable crank applied to this extension may rotate the shaft 82, thereby rotating the shaft 60 when steering by hand. -When the automatic steering is being effected, the worm makes an automatic lock, preventing rotation of the shaft 60.

My automatic steering mechanism may be employed, irrespective of the method of moving the vehicle. It is particularly well adapted, however, for self propelled vehicles, and such is the vehicle illustrated. The propulsion is accomplished through a central. vertical shaft 90, which extends downwardly from the superstructure or platform through the king-pin mechanism, and at its lower endis suitably geared with the driving axle. The gearing shown consists of a bevel 91, on the shaft 90, which meshes with. a bevel 92 on a shaft'93, which carries at its forward end a bevel 94 meshing with a bevel 95 on the front axle Suitable mechanism (not shown) within the cab 40 is adapted to' rotate the shaft 90 and thereby propel the vehicle. The swinging of the boom one way or the other and the concurrent turning of the axle 26 may be accomplished while the machine is in motion, being propelled by a shaft 90 and its gearing. This swinging and automatic turning may also be accomplished while the machine is otherwise stationary. Likewise, the machine may be steered by hand by a crank applied to the rear end of the shaft 82, whether the machine ismoving or stationary, Accordingly, the construction described provides complete steering mechanism adapted to effectively meetall. conditions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is I 1. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, the combination, with a wheeled truck and a supporting platform swiveled thereon, a boom mounted on said platform, steering mechanism operated by turning the platform, and mechanism for turning the platform and thereby swinging the boom and correspondingly operating the steering mechanismii 2. The combination of a truck frame, we Q- pairs of Wheels therefor, one pair being mounted on an axle swiveled to the frame, a supporting platform rotatably mounted above the truck, a boom niouutcd' on. the

mounted above the track name, a boom projecting from one end of the platform, pulley: can Tied by the frame, flexible members t'o be connected with the supportin form and assi'ng over the pulleys and. connected wit the swiveled axle, and mechanism for swinging the platform wit-n its boom on the swivel axis of the platform and thereby automatically turning the steering wheels.

etrrTh'e combination, with a truck having 'a swiveled axle, of a pair of pulleys con ,nected therewith, flexible n'icmbcrs passing around said pulleys, a supporting platform movably mounted on the truck, a boom and raising mechanism carried by the platform, means for connecting the flexible members thereto, and mechanism for moving the platform and boom and thereby automatically swinging said axle on its swivel.

5. The combination, with a truck haying one of its axles swivelly connected to the truck, a pair of pulleys connected with said axle, a shaft, a pair of flexible members leading from opposite sides of the shaft 'around the two pulleys, a supporting platform ,on the truck, a boom and mechanism mounted on the platform, means for connecting the upper ends of the flexible members thereto, means for holding such shaft against rotation, and mechanism for moving the platform and boom and increby automatically swinging said a xlc on its swivel.

6. The combination, with a wheeled tr and a supporting platform mounted ti on, a boom extending from one end oi. he platform, raisin mechanism supported by the platform including an elevating cable extending lengthwise of the boom, of a rotatable shaft on the truck, means for holding said shaft and for rotatingit as de ir-cd, flexible members leading roin opposite sides of said shaft around pulleys connected with the axle of one pair of truck wheels, means to anchoring the other ends of said i'lcxible members to the supporting platform, and mechanism for swingin the plat-form.

Z. in a machine ofthe character described, the combination of a wheeled truck, platform swiveled thereon, a boom carried by the platform, an axle for one pair of wheels. movable pulleys connectedtherewith, flan-- blc members passing over said pulleys, and means for anchoring either end of said llcxi blc members and pulling on the other end.

S. The combination, with a wheeled truclr, of an axle for one pair of wheels, pulleys connectedtherewith, a rotatable shaft, a pair of flexible members leading from opposite sides of said shaft. over said pulleys, a rust able superstructure on the truck, a boom and raising mechanism carried by the structure, in ans fo' anchoring said nlxibi members at will to the superstructure or th ark ' a frantic and four wheels body, and means for locking said shaft "st rotation or rotating it atwill.

he combination with a t uck having pair of which are mounted on an e swivelcd to the truck, of a rotacarried by the truck frame, a pair nnccled with. the axle, a pair J1 r oi pulleys of drums on the shaft, chains leading from pper and lower portions of said drums crively and passing around the pulleys resp ctively. guide pulleys over which such chains travel, and anchorages for the other ends of the chains.

10, The combination, with a truck having wheels, one pair of which are mounted on an axle fran'ie swiv led to the truck, of a rotatable shaft carried by the. truch frame, a pair of gisulleys connected with the axle. a oair of drums on the shaft, chains leading from the upper and lower portions of said drums respectively and passing around the pulleys respectively, guide pulleys over which such chains travel, and two anchorages for the other ends of the chains, one on thc truck frame and the other on a swiv eled siu'ierstriu'turc, and means for locking the shaft a i'insi' rotation and for rotating the shaft as desired.

ll, In a machine of the character described, the con'ibination, with a wheeled truck, of superstructure swivelly mounted above the same, .a boom and raising mechanism carried thcrclrv, a central vertical driving shaft, gearing between the same and one pair of wheels for propelling the. vehicle, mechanism for rotating the superstructure with reference to tl f1 truck, and mechanism wl ereby such rotat on turns the other pair of wheels.

12. The combination of a wheeled truck iaving one pair of wheels adapted to bc urncd to steer the truck, a supporting plat form mounted to turn on the top of the truck, a boom supported by the truck and i'uechanisin cooperating therewith, mechanism for turning the supporting platform, and flexible connecting mechanism between the supporting platform and the, pair of wheels which are adapted to steer the truck.

The combination, with a truck having one pair of which are a laptcd to be turned to steer the truck, ructurc swivelcd on the truck and boon), llcxiblc mechanism counectthe iipersi'riurtiu-e with apair of wheels which may be turned, means for turning the super ucture with reference to he truck \vlcr ,y, when the boom is turned with ience to the desired course of travel, the truck will be automatically steered correspm (lingly. l

5 The iroinbiiuition, with a truck having a frame and wheels, one pair of wheels being adapted to turn to steer the truck, of a turn table on the top of-the truck, a superstructure mounted on the turn table, a driving shaft at the center of the turn table depending from. the superstructure, gearing connecting the same with the pair of wheels which are not turned to steer, a pair of flexible members coni'iecting, the superstructure with the other pair of wheels to auto-- matically steer when the superstructure is turned, and mechanism for turning -the superstructure. r

'15. The combination, with a wheeled truck and a superstructure swivellymounted thereon, mechanism for driving the truck, mechanism for turning the superstructure, mechanism for steering .the truck by means of turning the superstructure, and mechanism for steering the truck by hand independently of the turning of the superstructure'.

16. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a truck frame, four Wheels therefor, one pair of wheels being mounted on an axle frame connected by a swivel with the truck frame, a turn table on top of'the truck frame, a superstructure rotatably mounted above the turn table, a central vertical drive shaft, a connection between the same and the pair of wheels Whose axle is not swi'veled, a transverse shaft carried by the truck frame, a pair of pulleys connected with the swivelcd axle,-iiexible members leading respectively from the 'top and bottom of said transverse shaft passing around said pulleys and over guide pulleys on the truck frameand .aimhored to the superstructure, means on the truck frame for also anchoring the said flexible members, means on the truck frame for locking :or rotating the transverse shaft, and means for turning the superstructure on the turn table 1'7.- The combination, with a truck coma risinn' a frame and steering wheels therefor, of a platform rotatably mounted on'said frame, means for imparting rotary movement to said platform, and a flexible connection between. said platform and said steering wheels, whereby the latter will be actuated by the movement of said plat-form.

'18. The conibii'ialion, with a truck comprising a frame, and steering .vheels therefor, of a platform rot atably mounted on said frame, flexible devices connected with said steering wheels and means to connect said devices with either said platform orsaid frame.

ll). The combination, with a truck comprising" frame and steering wheels therefor, of a platform roialably mounted on said frame, iineans for imparting rotary 111OY- ment to said platform. and means cmiti'olled bv the rotary movement of said plat-harm for imparting; a steering movement to said steering wheels.

20. The combination, with a truck com.- prising a frame, asteering axle therefor,

prising a frame,a steering axle therefor, and steering Wheels on said axle, of a platform rotatably mounted on said frame, a chain end thereof and extending therefrom toward the other end of the frame, a guide for said chain near said other end offsaid frame, and means for detachably connecting said chain to that side of said platform opposite the end of the axle with which said chain is connected. v

22. The combination, with a truck com prising a. frame, a steering axle therefor, and steering Wheels on said axle, 'of a plat- "form rotatably' mounted on said frame, a

pair of chains connected with ,said-axle on opposite sides of the center thereof, guides for said chains near the opposite end of said frame, grabhooksseeured to said platform and adapted to engage the respective chains, and holding devices securedto said frame and adapted to receive links of the respective chains. I

The combination, with atruck having steering wheels, of a stationary gear carried bythc truck, aplatform swiveled on the truck carrying a driving pinion adapted to mesh with said gear, aud'a flexible connection between the platform and steering wheelswhereby the latter will be actuated by a movement of the platform.

24. The combination of a wheeled'truck having one pair of wheels mounted on a truck, movable pulleys on the axle on opposite sides of its pivot, a pair of flexible memvice with which said flexible members are connected at one end, means for lockingthe winding device, and means for connecting the flexible members at the other end either to the truck frame or to the platform, whereby the truck may be steeredby hand by rotaiing the winding" device or automatically by turning the platform.

3:. In a machine of the character deof wheels thorefor,a pivoted axle on which one pair ofwlieels is j'curnaled, movable pulleys connected with .the axle and winding shaft self-locking rotating mechanism therewith the \vinding shaftand passing off of its opposite sides around the movable pul leys, means .for anchoring the flexible members at their other ends, a platform swiveled 21. The combination, with a truck com connected with said steering axle near the,

berspassing over said pulleys, a winding described. the combination, with a truck frame,

for, a pair of' flexible members connected movable axle, a platform swiveledon the on the truck frame, and means for connecting the last mentioned ends of the flexible members with the platform.

'26. The combination-of a wheeled truck having an axle pivoted to the truck frame,

movable pulleysconnected withsaid axle on.

opposite sides of its pivot, a Winding shaft, a worm Wheel on the winding shaft, a worm meshing with'the worm wheel, a pair of flexible members'passing respectively from the top and bottom of the winding shaft around the movable pulleys, a platform swiveled on the truck, and means for con;

' the steering wheels, flexible connections between the platform adjacent to'the heel of the boom and the steering wheels at the other-end of the truck, whereby when the platform swings the boom at one end of the .truck it-,may automatically and correspondinglyshift the wheels at the other end, and 1 means .for swinging the platform.

28. The combination of a truck having a frame and wheels, one pair of which are shiftable to steer and the other pair of which. are non-shiftable, a platform rotatably mounted on the frame, a boom projecting from one end of the platform and adapted tooverhang the non-steering end of. the truck, flexible devices connected with the steering wheels, and means to connect said devices at will either with the truck frameor with the platform adjacent to the heel of the boom, whereby when the boom at one end of the truck is swung the steering wheels at the other end may be automatically sw ung correspondingly.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto'afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. HOLLIS H HARRIS.

Witnesses: i

ALBERT H. BATES, I BRENNAN B. WVnsr. 

